Overview
- County health officials said Thursday the 2025 case count reached a record 220, up from 187 in 2024, with about 90% of patients admitted to hospitals.
- Investigators pinpointed clusters in Central Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Willowbrook even as cases were reported across the county.
- Flea-borne typhus is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia typhi and spreads when infected flea feces from rats, stray cats or opossums enter skin breaks or eyes.
- Pets can carry infected fleas indoors, so officials urge year-round flea control, avoiding contact with strays, securing trash and blocking wildlife entry points.
- If symptoms such as fever, headache, rash or body aches appear within one to two weeks, officials advise seeking prompt care because antibiotics work best early.